e lay on the old shabby sofa, her time was fully occupied by reading to her uncle, books of Welsh history or the effusions of the old bards, which interested him so much. Ever and anon,

hore, on the cliffs, or on the banks of the Berwen. Her uncle had heard from Gwen of her drenched condition on the night of the storm,

ou get wet

e Nance, and the storm increased so much when I was there t

find a splendid description of such a storm; go

valley, and into the field where Essec Powell's cows were just awaking and clumsily rising from their night's sleep under the quiet stars. The storm had disappeared as suddenly as it had arisen, and all nature was rejoicing in the birth of

ery wet last night?" said

, did you

e at the same time. Is she an

n she is, a good deal,-miladi is a bit lazy, I think," and

omewhat discomposed as he read and re-read a letter which he had just rec

orm very interesting, Cardo

in his bedroom after retiring for the night, peering ou

he storm was raging furiously there, and a girl was crossing in the midst of

gregation?" ask

e isn't one girl under sev

I suppose-one of E

you wouldn't let a woman be drowned without making

nly I should prefer my son's risking

ther saw and felt. It irritated him, and, fixin

o love the Methodists, and I hope they are not now going to add to my reasons for disliking them by com

pushing his plate away; "I will

er here which I would like to read to you,

to clear away the breakfast things he was lost in a profound reverie, his

d by sundry "h'ms" and coughs, but Cardo still remained buried in thought and jingli

to! what is

"did I hurt you? Where we

hes? I flung them out through my bedroom window;

n pawb! did you ge

on the beach," he said, rising; "but you know

r him with uplift

such a boy! always in some misc

wild thyme and harebells still held their own against the plough and harrow; and here, sitting

aid at last, as he rose and took h

trength, and with his bright, keen eyes, out of keeping with this dusty

ently the self-same books which he

ergy, and waste of time to write when you have nothing special to say. But he has something to say to-day. He has a son, a poor, weak fellow I have heard, as far as outward appearance and bodily health go-a contrast to you, Cardo-but a clever fellow, a senior wrangler, and an M.A. of his college. He h

me by all means, if you wish it, fath

t the neighbourhood, and lay yourself out to make his s

that spoils it all. If you take my advice in the matter, you will write to your friend

to know me better. Fortunately for you, with your pride and extravagant ideas, I am here to look after affairs, and hitherto, thank God, I have been quite capable of doing

l be glad of a companion, and will do my best to

ung man, and a fit companion for you. You do

h a humorous smile. "I should never dream o

rvously finger

ur fishing or your rowing-which is it to-day, Cardo?" and

ghed good

s that field of swedes this afternoon," and he tu

trious man never walks about

u bet I won't have my hands in my pockets there. I f

after him with a c

eceded along the passage. "Not much fault to be found w

i and Dye, and not only directing, but often taking his share in the weeding or hoeing. He was fu

's household. Suddenly an unpleasant thought seemed to strike him, for his face flushed, and he gave a long, low whistle. "Phew! I never thought of that! Why! I shall never have a

tirely the languor which followed her immersion in the sea; but on the evening of the third day, as the sun drew near

wn under a towering rock, still a little languid, but full of an inrushing tide of happiness. The green waves came rolling in, their foaming crests catching the rosy pink of

her; she knew that sooner or later she should meet him, should see him coming, through the golden sunlight of the morning, or in the crimson glory of the evening, with buoyant steps and greeting hands towards her; a

u been the last three years? do not say they have been days! are you well and none the worse for your wetting?" and sti

trange constraint which was new to them,

do Wynne; but indeed I have no words to speak my th

ng; seeing you in danger I helped you out of it, for, Valmai," and here his voice sank low and trembled a little, "it is like this with me, and you must know it; h

up into the blushing face; but still she made no answer. Star

heart that you have in mine? Place in my heart! Good heavens! There is no room there for anything else.

alone and friendless when I met you that night in the moonlight, now I am happy th

'Cardo, I love you

n say that

, then,

e you. Cardo, I love you." And to the sound of th

stly into the blue eyes, "Does this golden sky look down to-night upo

they continued long walking up and down, lingering by the surf, whispering thoug

than theirs. No fears for the future, no dread of partings, no thought of

. Forgotten his father's coldness; forgotten his bare, loveless home; forgotten even the wrangler who was coming to trouble him; and forgotten that nameless shadow of parting and distance, which had hovered too near

ng of whip, at five o'clock every evening. In the yard of the Red Dragon he waited for the arrival of his father's guest. At the appointed time the coach

" said Cardo, approaching and

t pleasant voice, "an

d the two young

nd thin, but with a frank smile and genial manner which gave a generally pleasant impression. He

ted amongst the luggage,

, I can get along anywhere; but without them I am lost." And

d left Caer Madoc behind, and were fast lesse

et me; and what a splen

is head well, and

orses?" as

voice; "riding and painting ar

think I can show you as pretty bits of scenery as you ever saw within the four sides of a gilt frame." And as they drew near the top of the

o the beauties of the coast, was amused at hi

ee those magnificent rocks-sepia and cobalt; and that cleft in the hills running down to the sh

t box that can imitate those colours,

s, "one would need a spirit

ample road who

vens! your l

much acquainted with English poetry-a farmer's li

life is poetry itself, in its

ugged his

gladden a farmer's heart! In a week or two we shall have it tossed about in the sun, and carried down through the lanes into the haggard, and the lads and lasses will have a jolly supper in th

," said Ellis, "and a farmer is a

ily, as they alight

Cardo Wynne a poet! that

and Betto in her excitement was so lavish with her bob curtseys, that Cardo came in for a few, until he recalled her to her senses by gra

, the three men soon be

Wynne; "I hope you will not fi

d speaking a little through his nose. "What can be more idyllic than to drive through th

satisfaction that none of th

about where you please. If you prefer riding, you can always have 'Captain' or 'Jim.' I wan

rk, and sat gazing silently at the fai

e matter?

g! That view alone is

s! see that golden ligh

t return to my study, and leave you yo

spising his friend's sentimental enthusi

about his being a wrangler! There's no conceit about him anyway; if there had been, I should have had to pitch him out of the dogcart-upset him into the

Belo